Central National Bank · Photo: Zeugzeug · CC BY-SA 4.0Alva’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alva gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #25 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2000.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Alva faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Alva’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alva, and Alva’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #25 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alva’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alva has less expected damage per building than 82% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Alva: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alva flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alva, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alva isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woods County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alva
Disasters that paid out in Alva itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alva), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the City of Alva for repairs
- 2009Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the City of Alva for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$16K to the City of Alva for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$9K to the City of Alva for repairs
Woods County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Woods County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Alva after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alva archive →Get ready for what Alva faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alva
Is Alva at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alva has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #25 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alva flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Alva since 2000, $32K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alva in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Woods County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Alva?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alva’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alva?
By FEMA money that reached Alva, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 38 households applied for aid, $42K approved.
Is Alva at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Alva’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alva.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alva’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.